Barnet Labour group leader Alison Moore: 'I still have the backing of members'

Barnet Council's Labour group leader Alison Moore insists she retains the backing of her party, despite speculation growing over her future.

Speculation has grown over the East Finchley councillor's position as group leader after her party narrowly lost last week’s local election, despite making overall gains across the borough.

There are rumours of growing unrest in the party, whilst political bloggers and pastLabour supporters Theresa Musgrove and Roger Tichborne have called for her to resign.

Labour closed the majority of the Tory administration to just five seats at last week's election, a figure that will be reduced to two next month should Labour retain its three seats in the delayed Colindale election.

The group is holding a post-election meeting this evening but will not be making decisions on the future structure of the group until after the Colindale poll.

Councillor Moore confirmed she would be standing again for the leadership and believes last week’s results were positive for the party.

She said: “I think absolutely it was a success. We had a huge target to get control of the borough but what we got was a tremendous achievement.

“We now have more councillors than ever before in Barnet. I absolutely will be putting myself forward for the leadership again and I stand on my record.

“With a majority of just two, the Tories are going to have to work for every vote and every decision in the council chamber.

"I still have the confidence of many members but there is a democratic process so we will see what happens."

Comments

Rog T
7:50pm Tue 27 May 14

Alison Moore may feel that losing the election was a stunning achievement. I most certainly don't and I don't believe too many Labour supporters do. The failure to take Hale Ward, concentrating resources on Childs Hill, which allowed the Tories to take two seats from the Lib Dems was a monumental Blunder. This blunder cost Labour control of Barnet. Alison Moore has lost enough elections and missed enough chances to nail the Tories for any career. If she were a team player, she'd step down and help a new, more dynamic leader to take the next step and take the council. Alison Moore has lost 2 council elections as Leader. Surely she can see that it is time to give some new blood a chance. She is a very nice person, but that is no qualification for being the leader of a party.

Alison Moore may feel that losing the election was a stunning achievement. I most certainly don't and I don't believe too many Labour supporters do. The failure to take Hale Ward, concentrating resources on Childs Hill, which allowed the Tories to take two seats from the Lib Dems was a monumental Blunder. This blunder cost Labour control of Barnet. Alison Moore has lost enough elections and missed enough chances to nail the Tories for any career. If she were a team player, she'd step down and help a new, more dynamic leader to take the next step and take the council. Alison Moore has lost 2 council elections as Leader. Surely she can see that it is time to give some new blood a chance. She is a very nice person, but that is no qualification for being the leader of a party.Rog T

Alison Moore may feel that losing the election was a stunning achievement. I most certainly don't and I don't believe too many Labour supporters do. The failure to take Hale Ward, concentrating resources on Childs Hill, which allowed the Tories to take two seats from the Lib Dems was a monumental Blunder. This blunder cost Labour control of Barnet. Alison Moore has lost enough elections and missed enough chances to nail the Tories for any career. If she were a team player, she'd step down and help a new, more dynamic leader to take the next step and take the council. Alison Moore has lost 2 council elections as Leader. Surely she can see that it is time to give some new blood a chance. She is a very nice person, but that is no qualification for being the leader of a party.

Score: 6

Don't Call Me Dave
10:30pm Tue 27 May 14

As the former Chairman of the Chipping Barnet Conservative Association, I hope that Alison Moore remains leader of the Labour group for a very long time.

As the former Chairman of the Chipping Barnet Conservative Association, I hope that Alison Moore remains leader of the Labour group for a very long time.Don't Call Me Dave

As the former Chairman of the Chipping Barnet Conservative Association, I hope that Alison Moore remains leader of the Labour group for a very long time.

Score: -1

[deleted]
12:54pm Wed 28 May 14

[deleted]

Maybe McGuirk will become leader. Then she could definitely get away with not paying her council tax. Everyone's a winner!AverageBarnetResident

Maybe McGuirk will become leader. Then she could definitely get away with not paying her council tax. Everyone's a winner!

Score: -6

Mrs Angry, Broken Barnet blog
10:43am Thu 29 May 14

Please amend the sentence 'past Labour supporters' - I am a Labour party member and I am a Labour party supporter: I do not support the proposal that the present leader should remain in office after another electoral failure, and I believe very strongly that the party in Barnet needs a fresh start with a new and more challenging approach.

Please amend the sentence 'past Labour supporters' - I am a Labour party member and I am a Labour party supporter: I do not support the proposal that the present leader should remain in office after another electoral failure, and I believe very strongly that the party in Barnet needs a fresh start with a new and more challenging approach.Mrs Angry, Broken Barnet blog

Please amend the sentence 'past Labour supporters' - I am a Labour party member and I am a Labour party supporter: I do not support the proposal that the present leader should remain in office after another electoral failure, and I believe very strongly that the party in Barnet needs a fresh start with a new and more challenging approach.

Score: 0

aworrall
10:58am Fri 30 May 14

I thought Alison Moore's comment on election night was that she was disappointed with the result. She has quickly changed her tune. Keep up the good work Alison Moore, you are doing a great job!

I thought Alison Moore's comment on election night was that she was disappointed with the result. She has quickly changed her tune. Keep up the good work Alison Moore, you are doing a great job!aworrall

I thought Alison Moore's comment on election night was that she was disappointed with the result. She has quickly changed her tune. Keep up the good work Alison Moore, you are doing a great job!

Score: -3

nlygo
5:08pm Fri 30 May 14

of course she was disappointed, having failed to win the Council

but it was still a good result for Labour as the Conservatives cannot afford any absences with such a small majority! ;)

of course she was disappointed, having failed to win the Council
but it was still a good result for Labour as the Conservatives cannot afford any absences with such a small majority! ;)nlygo

of course she was disappointed, having failed to win the Council

but it was still a good result for Labour as the Conservatives cannot afford any absences with such a small majority! ;)

Score: -2

aworrall
11:24pm Fri 30 May 14

It's a complete disaster for Labour - a total embarrassment particularly after all the problems with parking.

It's a complete disaster for Labour - a total embarrassment particularly after all the problems with parking.aworrall

It's a complete disaster for Labour - a total embarrassment particularly after all the problems with parking.

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